| Native American Rattles are a popular sight at Indian | | | | tribe had their own way of making the rawhide rattles. |
| Pow Wows. If you like American Indian culture, you will | | | | They used different beading patterns, colors and |
| want to expand your experience with rattles. Native | | | | symbols. By studying the designs and colors used, you |
| American shakers as they are called, also make | | | | can tell which tribe made it. They were handcrafted |
| beautiful southwest home decor. | | | | works of art. |
| 1 ) Rattles have gained such popularity that they are | | | | 7 ) One thing that seemed to be a common thread |
| icons of Native American life. They represent the | | | | between the tribes was that they used rattles along |
| many different Indigenous tribes. In Native culture rattles | | | | with dancing. They also used their rattles in healing |
| are one of the most popular instruments used during | | | | rituals and spiritual journeys. |
| ceremonials. | | | | 8 ) Native made rattles use a lot of materials found in |
| 2 ) Different tribes still use rattles today in their culture | | | | nature such as leather, rawhide, beads and feathers. |
| as they have for generations. They are used in public | | | | Other options are fur, fringe, seeds, rocks, antlers, |
| gatherings. They are also important in the spiritual | | | | horns, bones and shells. Each of these are what the |
| connection with the creator. | | | | artist uses to create a personal and unique Indian rattle. |
| 3 ) In history, Native American rattles were an integral | | | | 9 ) Equally important is the material that is placed in the |
| part of tribal ceremonies having symbolic meaning to | | | | rattle. Many times corn, beans or manzanita seeds or |
| the tribes that used them. The symbols may include | | | | trade beads are placed inside. One interesting custom |
| the animal, plant and mineral kingdom. | | | | is to use small smooth stones gathered from the |
| 4 ) The shell of a turtle or a dried gourd shaker may | | | | opening of an ant hill. |
| represent the animal kingdom. The earthen paint used | | | | 10 ) Music and song as well as stories have always |
| to decorate the rattle may represent the mineral | | | | been in important part of Native American teaching. |
| kingdom. Small rocks may also represent the mineral | | | | Sharing legends and teachings through ceremonies |
| kingdom as they are placed inside. The plant kingdom | | | | and rituals keeps traditions and cultural beliefs alive. |
| is many times seen in the type of handle the rattle has. | | | | There is something almost magical about owning one |
| 5 ) It's interesting that not all tribes used drums but | | | | and now days it is easier than ever to buy Native |
| most did use rattles throughout history. Some of the | | | | American rattles online. Display a rattle with your rustic |
| American tribes used decorative rattles made with | | | | southwest decor. Or, use an Indian rattle in your |
| hand carved gourds or turtle shells. Some tribes like | | | | drumming circle. |
| the Chumash of southern California used seaweed | | | | Enjoy the original Indian art on authentic Native rattles. |
| rattles. | | | | You will definitely be drawn to the unique history and |
| 6 ) One type among the American Indian tribes that | | | | sound of Native American rattles. |
| was the most popular was the rawhide rattle. Each | | | | |